Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 128 normal postmenopausal women at different skeletal sites: lumbar spine and proximal femur, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the cancellous and cortical envelopes of the distal third of radius and tibia, using precise low-dose quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Multivariate analysis included chronological age, ages related to menstrual history (menopause and menarche) and anthropometric factors, e.g. height and weight, as independent predictive variables. Weight is a much-studied predictor of bone density. At sites of high bone turnover, i.e. cancellous envelope, the effect of weight appeared overshadowed by estrogen-related parameters: age-past-menopause was the first predictor of BMD in the cancellous compartment of radius and in Ward's triangle, and the number of reproductive years was the strongest predictor of BMD in the cancellous compartment of tibia and in the spine (L2-4). This suggests that in addition to menopause, the length of menstrual life should be considered as an explanation for the variations in current bone mass in postmenopausal women. At the cortical level of radius, the effect of chronological age was predominant. At the cortical level of tibia, height and weight were the best predictors of BMD. We conclude that the influence of parameters related to menstrual history is predominant in sites with mainly cancellous tissue and that anthropometric factors constitute the best predictors of BMD in the cortical sites of weight-bearing bones.

Pyomyositis is relatively rare in regions with a temperate climate. The most common aetiologic agent is staphylococcus aureus. Most patients with pyomyositis from temperate regions involve immunocompromised states. Because of the rarity, it is often initially misdiagnosed. Computed tomography scan is considered the most helpful tool for the diagnosis of pyomyositis. We present a case in a patient with multiple myeloma.

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Mononuclear cells were isolated from the peritrabecular bone marrow from the medullary bone of laying hens maintained on a calcium-deficient diet for 1 week. These cells were cultured for up to 7 days on devitalized bovine bone slices after removing the nonadherent fraction. The mononuclear precursors of the osteoclast that are present in such cultures adhere to bone matrix. These cells are TRAP+, express the vitronectin receptor at high levels, and also express high levels of sodium pumps and of carbonic anhydrase, enzymes that are characteristically enriched in the mature osteoclast. Finally, the most mature mononuclear precursors were found to be capable of resorbing the extracellular bone matrix before forming multinucleated osteoclasts.

A case of left brachial plexus compression by an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula was treated by detachable balloon technique with immediate relief of pain. Good results on paresia were obtained in a few weeks.

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